Making the great move (Anchorage, Fairbanks: insurance, crime, homes)

[kacimaya]

Hello
I am a military spouse and my husband and I, would like to move to Alaska following his short tour ( we are pretty much gauranteed our choice of follow on). Before we make a final decision, I would like to know what are the main jobs out there? I still have some time to finish school before we leave and dont want to major in the wrong thing. Is there a big job market for certain career fields? My husband is majoring in electric engineering and is thinking to get out of AF and become a civilian so I would like to know if ther is a big need for them as well.

Also, we have two young kids (they will be 7 and 8) when we move there. Is there a good area that is not to far from the Air Force Base there to but a home at. I am very concerned about safety and th quality of schools. My husband does not mind a mild commute to work as long as its worth it.

So I guess this is what I am looking for:
1. nice areas to buy a home that is not to extreme in price( although i understand the cost of homes are pretty high there) as well as located in good school districts, and not to far from the AF base
2. the most demanded jobs there
3. the lifestyle there. we are outdoorsy people

Thanks for any help I can get with this as our family makes a big decion that will truly impact our lives.

[browncoatflan]

Sounds like everything I've read about Alaska!


1. the housing costs are pretty outrageous anywhere up there, from what I've been reading. But the schools are top notch and there's hella less crime than most other states.

2. I have no idea, but I'd imagine healthcare would be up at the top, and I don't see how an electrical engineer couldn't find something good esp. with mil background.

3. perfect! especially if you like snow.


That's my take on it all, anyhoo.


Shan

[mal_flisk]

Anchorage and Fairbanks are both located within commuting distance from Air Force bases, but Eielsen by Fairbanks is about 15-20 miles outside of Fairbanks and Elmendorf is located immediately next to Anchorage.

[kacimaya]

we were looking at Elmendorff, what are the nicer areas near there?

[mal_flisk]

Eagle River and Chugiak have good schools and are well situated to the base. Otherwise, I would live south of Tudor Ave. There are some nicer neighborhoods north of there, and closer to the base, but they are checkerboarded into some really nasty neighborhoods.

[AKNana]

1. Like mal _flisk says Eagle River or Chugiak, with Eagle River being closer to the base, and better schools, but a bit more expensive. Also very few services like groceries, banks, etc. in Chugiak, all these are found in Eagle River. South Anchorage is an option, but why fight that traffic if you are working on the base?
2. Health care and government jobs predominate.
3. Outdoor activities abound, it is what draws most people to Alaska. Skiing, downhill and cross country, fishing, hunting, hiking, snowmaching, climbing, berry picking, ice hockey, chose your pleasure!

[kacimaya]

I dont want to sound a littel to far fetched , BUT would i need to worry about bears being an issue in either of these areas. We have two dogs and two young kids that love to play outside. Our dogs are never outside alone or unleashed.

[browncoatflan]

That's not far-fetched.. LOTS of people in Alaska have little kids AND dogs!



Shan

[Crossfire600]

Originally Posted by kacimaya

I dont want to sound a littel to far fetched , BUT would i need to worry about bears being an issue in either of these areas. We have two dogs and two young kids that love to play outside. Our dogs are never outside alone or unleashed.

Not to worry, as long as you can out run your husband you should be fine with the bears. It is perfectly acceptable in Alaska to shoot him in the knee cap if he does happen to out pace you.. Life insurance, increase his life insurance.

I am joking of course.

[Crossfire600]

Originally Posted by Crossfire600

Not to worry, as long as you can out run your husband you should be fine with the bears. It is perfectly acceptable in Alaska to shoot him in the knee cap if he does happen to out pace you.. Life insurance, increase his life insurance.

I am joking of course.

I should add that my wife can't shoot so well, I'm ok